A drone-driving application is to be used by households, especially farmers in their daily business, to enable 24-hour cattle monitoring from the comfort of a home.
This technological advancement was announced by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi last week at a meeting in Maitengwe. He said that almost every citizen owning a smartphone could now remotely control herds.
Botswana is one of the most important beef exporters to the European Union, where it enjoys duty- and quota-free access. The country also exports beef and live cattle to South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, according to 2022 statistics reported by Reuters. In September this year, the government announced an “appalling” rise in cattle theft in certain areas of the country.
The new technology, President Masisi said, would help farmers in the Maitengwe area to prevent their animals from crossing the border into Zimbabwe and monitor any poaching activity.
He said this initiative was in line with the national SmartBots Project which aims to provide internet connectivity to government institutions in various villages, which has been successful as a foundation for other applications to make elements vital to the economy and society easier and more convenient.
The aim, he said, was to ensure that Batswanans, regardless of their location, could easily access the Internet and stay updated on local, security and global events.
President Masisi said the expansion of internet connectivity was aligned with the government's efforts to bring services closer to the people and create employment opportunities.
Minister of Defence and Security, Kagiso Mmusi, reaffirmed government's commitment to enhancing security in the area.
Additional officers, including the Special Support Group (SSG), have been deployed to combat cross-border crimes, resulting in a decline in crime rates.
To further enhance security, six more police officers have been deployed.
Moreover, he said efforts were being made to finalise the construction of the Maitengwe police station and provide suitable housing for the expected 40 officers, including the establishment of a newly formed Drug Enforcement Agency to combat drug smuggling and abuse.
